CITY LIMITS: Neighbors hope to coexist peacefully with MOVE

They had no idea who was moving into 4504 Kingsessing until well after the deal was closed. But when local residents learned recently that the radical back-to-nature cult MOVE had moved into their Spruce Hill neighborhood, all they could do was hope. Many area leaders said this week that they are hoping their new neighbors, members of the infamous group which was bombed out of their previous house on Osage Avenue in 1985, will be conscientious, law-abiding neighbors. Matthew Wolfe, 27th Ward Republican leader, who lives across Clark Park from the new MOVE house, said he did not know about his new neighbors until a "week before the Inquirer broke the story." According to Fran Opher, block captain of the 4500 block of Kingsessing, when the community discovered the identity of their new neighbors, the initial reaction was "fear [stemming] from the continuation of the past confrontations with police and the city." Once the initial fear subsided, however, community groups began to talk about the situation, and agreed that as long as MOVE caused no disruptions, the neighborhood would accept them without protest. According to Spruce Hill Community Association President David Hochman, emotional residents discussed their new neighbors at a meeting last week. And Kevin Vaughan, 27th Ward Democratic leader and Spruce Hill board member, said last week it was the unanimous feeling of those at the meeting that the residents are willing to peacefully coexist with MOVE. "Spruce Hill will do whatever they can to support everyone on the block, and we hope for good relations between MOVE and other residents," said Vaughan. However, Vaughan and others said that if MOVE members are not willing to be good neighbors, residents hope the city will respond. "We want the city to be vigilant without harassing MOVE," Hochman said. Wolfe added that it was "critically important that the City of Philadelphia makes sure that all city regulations are followed." According to Opher, a number of residents have spoken to MOVE with mixed reaction. Opher said MOVE members "shout" and "don't speak calmly" with the visitors -- behavior which she attributed to "to anxiety on parts of both parties." A disagreement did arise, said Opher, between MOVE and their neighbor over the group's removal of a wall and fence. Opher said a verbal agreement between the two parties was later reached. Despite concerns about the effects of the new Spruce Hill neighbors, Wolfe said he plans to "wander over there soon and -- who knows -- maybe I can register them Republican." Hochman said he does not want the "MOVE people to hijack the agenda of the community." "[We are] not going to let it devour us," Hochman said.

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